Damascus, Syria – The Syrian public is awaiting the issuance of a presidential decree by President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, appointing 70 members, representing one-third of the new People’s Assembly. This constitutional step will finalize the structure of the country’s first parliament during the current transitional period, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
These presidential appointments are a necessary complement to the electoral process, which took place in stages across the various Syrian governorates. The High Elections Committee has completed all legal procedures and submitted the minutes and final results to the Presidency for ratification, paving the way for the start of the legislative session.
transitional electoral system
According to Presidential Decree No. 143 of 2025, the Syrian People’s Assembly currently consists of 210 members. Two-thirds of the members were elected by electoral bodies in various constituencies. The President of the Republic retains the power to appoint the remaining third (70 members). The names of the appointees are scheduled to be officially announced during a press conference to be held today at the Parliament building in central Damascus.
Over the past few months, the High Electoral Commission has announced the final results for several districts. These results began in the Syrian governorates in November 2025 and then reached the districts of Raqqa, Tabqa, Hasakah, Qamishli, Malikiyah, and Kobani in May 2026.
Challenges of parliamentary representation
Despite the completion of the electoral process, the new parliament faces practical challenges. Seats in the Suwaida governorate remain vacant due to the lack of elections there because of the security situation. Additionally, the seat representing the Jisr al-Shughur district is vacant following the death of member Mustafa Kalthoum last week. The president’s use of his power to appoint 70 members is a crucial constitutional mechanism to address this shortage. These appointments also fill the gaps in parliamentary representation.
Next steps
Following the issuance of the decree, the General Assembly of the People’s Assembly will be convened for its first procedural session, during which members will take the constitutional oath. This will be followed by the election of the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, his two deputies, and the Secretary by secret ballot. The Assembly, comprised of 210 seats, will serve for 30 months, the duration of the transitional period. During this time, the Assembly will exercise its constitutional duties of enacting laws and approving the state’s general policies. This makes it a cornerstone in reshaping the Syrian legislative landscape during this pivotal period.
